Meet Shirley Chung

Shirley is a winning chef, author, cancer survivor and reigning “Dumpling Queen.”

Shirley Chung Bio

Beijing-born chef and author Shirley Chung has made a name for herself at many restaurants and on Food Network for years. Trained in classic French and Italian cuisine, she brings a certain style to the kitchen that others just can’t match, especially when it comes to dumplings. Just ask the Los Angeles Times, which dubbed her the “Dumpling Queen” in 2018.

After opening and running restaurants for others — even earning José Andrés’ China Poblano a James Beard Award nomination for Best New Restaurant in 2011 — Shirley decided to helm her own eateries in California and Texas. In August 2024, Shirley was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer that June, forcing her to close her restaurant. She battled the cancer for 18 months and was able to return to the work she loved: cooking and competing. Following a year of remission — and relearning how to speak, how to swallow and using her palate again, per D Magazine — Shirley opened Dallas eatery Night Rooster.

Shirley has competed on Top Chef, Wildcard Kitchen, Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Tournament of Champions, Bobby’s Triple Threat, TOC: All-Star Christmas and House of Knives. She’s turned in her toque for a tasting fork in Guy’s Grocery Games, Chopped and The Globe.

In October 2018, Shirley published her first cookbook, Chinese Heritage Cooking From My American Kitchen.